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SJ 418

Commending Hamidullah Noori.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Rasoul and 1 co-sponsor

Commends Hamidullah Noori for empowering Afghan refugee women and families in Richmond through his restaurants, employing and training them, and fund-raising support.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ418ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 418

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution 418 (SJ418ER)

A ceremonial, non--binding resolution commending Hamidullah Noori for his contributions to Afghan refugee women and families in the Richmond, Virginia area. The enrolled version (SJ418ER) reflects identical language approved by both chambers.

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognizes and commends Hamidullah Noori for life-changing contributions to refugee women and families in Richmond.
  • Highlights Noori’s personal journey as a chef-entrepreneur who has used his businesses to empower Afghan refugees and strengthen the local community.

Key Provisions and Provisions’ Focus

  • Narrative of Noori’s background:
    • Born in Afghanistan; father killed by the Taliban; began cooking at 18; trained at the Intercontinental Hotel Kabul and Kabul Serena Hotel.
    • Arrived in the United States in 2015; opened the Afghan restaurant Mantu in Carytown (2019), followed by an additional location in Short Pump and the Mantu Market (an Afghan deli and bakery in Henrico County).
  • Economic and social impact:
    • Noori redirected his businesses to uplift women and children in need, hiring women refugees and teaching them all aspects of restaurant operations.
    • The Mantu Market is described as empowering women and envisioned as a meditation center for Afghan women facing anxiety and depression, with support services beyond cooking and store management.
    • Women refugees have gained life skills such as driving, English language improvement, and broader job training.
  • Community and family support:
    • Monthly contributions by Noori’s businesses to support Afghan women and children in rural Afghanistan, described as a life-saving initiative.
  • Ceremonial conclusions:
    • The General Assembly commends Noori for his contributions and directs the Clerk of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to him.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Hamidullah Noori (the honoree) and his Afghan refugee employees and beneficiaries in the Richmond area.
  • Secondary: Afghan refugee women and families connected to Noori’s businesses (Mantu and Mantu Market); the broader Richmond community that benefits from his empowerment initiatives.
  • Institutions: Virginia General Assembly (as the body issuing the commendation); clerks responsible for delivering the commemorative copy.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 17, 2025.
  • Enactment process:
    • Agreed to by the Senate: February 19, 2025 (voice vote).
    • Agreed to by the House of Delegates: February 20, 2025.
  • Enrolled status: SJ418ER (final enrolled version) as of February 2025.
  • Purpose of the resolution is ceremonial; there are no fiscal appropriations, statutory changes, or regulatory duties required.

Bottom Line

SJ418ER serves to publicly acknowledge and celebrate Hamidullah Noori’s leadership and philanthropic impact on Afghan refugee women and families in Richmond, highlighting his entrepreneurship, empowerment efforts, and ongoing support to refugees both locally and abroad.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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